Chelsea have another proposal on the table for Deivid Washington, with Vasco da Gama now trying to take the striker back to Brazil.
The Brazilian club want a loan without an initial fee and with an option to buy. There’s one important detail: they don’t want that purchase clause to be compulsory.
Club insider Léo Lacerda reports Vasco have asked Bertolucci Sports, the agency representing Deivid Washington, to take that proposal to Chelsea. Journalist Jorge Nicola confirmed the information.
There is no agreement at this stage. Vasco are waiting to discover whether Chelsea will accept those terms before taking things further.
Vasco want to avoid Chelsea’s preferred formula
That’s where things could get difficult. Chelsea have spent much of this summer looking for a permanent solution for Deivid Washington. Their position has already complicated interest from elsewhere in Brazil.
Lacerda says Atlético Mineiro recently came close to a deal for the 21-year-old. Chelsea were prepared to sanction a loan in that case, but wanted an obligation to buy included.
Atlético weren’t willing to go ahead on those terms and the move fell apart.
Vasco are now effectively asking Chelsea to make another concession. They want the temporary move, but only with an option to make it permanent afterwards.
The next step is therefore with Bertolucci Sports. They will speak to Chelsea and find out whether there’s any room for compromise.
Another possible exit for Deivid Washington
It’s another development in what has become a busy few days around the striker.
Strasbourg are also working on his signing, with our Tuesday coverage saying that a loan is on the table.
That route would keep Deivid Washington within the BlueCo network. Chelsea and Strasbourg have the same ownership, and the French side have regularly provided opportunities for young Blues players.
Recent reporting also made the player’s own position quite clear. His priority is senior football. He isn’t particularly concerned about whether that comes in Europe or Brazil, and is open to both a loan and permanent exit.
That makes Vasco a viable destination from the player’s perspective. Getting Chelsea to approve their proposed formula looks like the bigger challenge.
The Blues paid Santos €15m (£13m) plus a potential €5m (£4.3m) in bonuses for Deivid Washington in 2023. His contract runs until June 2030.
Three years later, he has still played fewer than 30 minutes of senior football for Chelsea.
There’s clearly no shortage of clubs willing to give him the minutes he’s looking for. The recurring issue is finding a deal which also works for Chelsea.
Vasco have now put their preferred solution forward. Their next move depends entirely on the answer from Stamford Bridge.
